Former members of the defunct Niger Delta Liberation Force have declared support for the United States’ military operations against terrorists in northern Nigeria, while cautioning that continued neglect of the Niger Delta could trigger renewed unrest.

In a statement signed by its former spokesman, Capt. Mark Anthony, the group said terrorism had claimed countless Nigerian lives and commended the U.S. for its role in confronting the threat.

“We commend and support the ongoing U.S. military operations against terrorists in Northern Nigeria,” the statement said.

The former agitators clarified that their past armed struggle was driven by economic concerns, particularly demands for inclusion in resource control, and stressed that they never targeted civilians.

“Our fight was for survival, not for the killing of innocent Nigerians,” they stated.

They also praised the Nigerian government for awarding pipeline surveillance contracts to Tantita Security Services Limited and other former fighters, noting that the initiative had contributed to the protection of oil infrastructure and the maintenance of peace in the Niger Delta.

However, the group warned that the relative calm in the region remained fragile, pointing to persistent underdevelopment in many oil-producing communities.

According to the statement, inadequate infrastructure, lack of access to clean water, healthcare, roads, and electricity continue to fuel discontent across the Niger Delta.

The group further urged the Niger Delta Development Commission to live up to its mandate, warning that underdevelopment in the Niger Delta constitutes a serious security concern not only for Nigeria but for the global community. (The Nation)